How to Care for Your Teeth After a Smile Makeover

A smile makeover can transform your smile and boost your confidence. However, it is important to take the time and proper care to maintain the results. Whether you have undergone teeth whitening, veneers, implants, or any other cosmetic dental procedure, the right aftercare routine can preserve your treatment results.

How to care for your teeth after a smile makeover

Here is a comprehensive guide on how patients can properly care for their teeth after going through a smile makeover procedure.

1. Maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine

Proper dental hygiene habits are essential to maintaining the results of a smile makeover. Two of the most common include brushing twice daily and flossing at least once daily to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing and flossing regularly can help prevent new stains, tartar, and food debris from building up on and between the patient's teeth.

That said, patients should use a toothbrush with soft bristles. This helps avoid too much pressure on the treatment area, particularly for cosmetic surgeries like dental veneers or implants. The dental team will provide specific aftercare instructions on how to maintain oral hygiene in the first few days after the procedure.

Patients can use an antibacterial mouthwash after brushing in order to prevent one's oral health. Those with dental restorations should avoid mouthwash containing alcohol, which can weaken the dental cement that holds them in place.

2. Maintain a balanced diet

A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and dairy products provides essential nutrients for optimal oral health. Calcium and vitamin D, in particular, promote strong teeth and gums and can help maintain the results of the smile makeover.

Additionally, patients who undergo teeth whitening should limit their consumption of or completely avoid staining foods and drinks. These may include:

• Dark berries
• Coffee
• Tea
• Red wine
• Dark sauces

If they do consume these items, they should rinse their mouth with water afterward.

3. Consider maintenance treatments

Over time, the patient's smile may naturally undergo changes due to aging, wear, or certain lifestyle factors and habits. Smile makeover treatments such as teeth whitening and composite bonding have shorter lifespans than more permanent restorations and will gradually stain or disintegrate over time. Touch-up treatments can help refresh the patient's smile and maintain the long-term results of their smile makeover.

4. Quit smoking

Smoking is not only bad for one's general health. It can also affect the health and appearance of one's smile. Patients who smoke cigarettes will need to avoid smoking or using other tobacco products after a smile makeover that involves a surgical procedure, such as dental implants. Smoking can cause severe damage to the gums, increasing the risk of treatment failure and oral health complications.

5. Go to follow-up appointments and regular checkups

After a smile makeover, patients should schedule a follow-up appointment with their dentist. These checkups allow the dentist to ensure the patient has fully healed and is not experiencing any post-treatment complications, such as tooth sensitivity, severe pain, or gum inflammation.

Additionally, regular dental checkups can prevent oral health issues and drastic changes to one's smile. The dentist will perform a deep cleaning to polish and remove surface stains and plaque buildup. These appointments can also help maintain and extend the longevity of the results of their smile makeover.